Brendan Fraser And Paul Haggis Awarded Damages Over 'Crash' Lawsuit

Moviemaker Bob Yari has been ordered to pay actor Brendan Fraser and director Paul Haggis $12 million in damages for improperly withholding profits from hit 2004 film Crash.

In 2007, Haggis launched legal action against the movie's producer Yari, claiming he had breached a profit sharing agreement made in 2002 and failed to give him the correct money he is owed.

Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Buckley ruled earlier this year that Yari had breached his contract by "diverting funds to third parties" from the profits of the $100 million -grossing movie.

And Yari has now been ordered to pay $12 million to Fraser, who played Rick Cabot in the film, and Haggis - although it is unknown how the damages will be split between both parties.

Judge Buckley said Yari had used "bogus contractual interpretations" and "inappropriate accounting procedures" to avoid paying the correct amount of cash to Haggis and Fraser, as well as co-writer Bobby Moresco and producer Mark Harris.

However, Yari's attorney Behzad Nahai has slammed the ruling, saying, "We obviously and respectfully disagree with the decision. The effect of this decision is that the person who took the risk and financed and proceeded with the making of this movie, is in essence being penalized by this court."

It's not the only legal dispute Yari is facing over the film - actor Matt Dillon, who played officer John Ryan in the production, launched a lawsuit last year claiming he was also cheated out of $100,000 in profits.

Photo Credits: PR Photos
, Lions Gate Entertainment

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